Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage using a code

Abstract

Method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device ( 20 ) comprising a capsule with a two-dimensional barcode ( 7 ) thereon, capturing at least one image of the barcode via a digital camera ( 42 ) and displaying decode information from said image on a display ( 41 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for providing information to a user from a capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage producing device, the method comprising the steps of:
 inserting the capsule with a two-dimensional barcode thereon in the beverage producing device, the two-dimensional barcode provided in a circular area whose center is concentric with a center of a top membrane sealed to a flange-like rim of the capsule, containing the information, having rectilinear borders and positioned substantially on a central axis of the capsule for identifying the capsule, the circular area having a radius that is 1.5 times smaller than a radius of the top membrane; 
 capturing at least one image of the two-dimensional barcode by a first digital camera without moving the first digital camera relative to the capsule and without moving the capsule relative to the first digital camera; and 
 displaying decoded information from the at least one image of the two-dimensional barcode on a display. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising displaying the decoded information on a second digital camera of a portable telecommunication terminal. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the display is part of the beverage producing device. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the display is part of a portable telecommunication terminal. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one operation consists in selecting data from a set of data contained in the decoded information before displaying further information. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the displayed decoded information includes product information and brewing parameters. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the displayed decoded information includes a web address. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the displayed information is an image of the decoded information. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising displaying information that prompts the user to follow instructions relevant to the beverage preparation. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , comprising displaying information that prompts the user to access a website or automatically directing the user to a website. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first digital camera is part of the beverage producing device. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the second digital camera is part of the portable telecommunication terminal. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein only a portion of the information is accessible on the portable telecommunication terminal. 
     
     
       14. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the top membrane is bulging outward. 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the radius of the circular area is at least two times smaller than the radius of the top membrane. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the inserting of the capsule comprises positioning the capsule into an insertion zone of the beverage preparation device, the method further comprises moving, by a transport member associated with the capsule holder, the capsule from the insertion zone to an identification zone of the beverage preparation device, the barcode faces the first digital camera at a predefined distance when the capsule is in the identification zone, and the capturing of the at least one image comprises stopping the moving of the capsule. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the capsule holder is driven at least linearly and the capsule holder is driven at least rotationally.